The Bahamas Football Association has benefited handsomely and has utilized the assistance from FIFA to become the best organized sports programme in the land. The administrative acumen of the BFA executives is un-matched. Their ability to continually satisfy the FIFA general mandate which includes of course verifying all spending of funds advanced, has made President Anton Sealey, General Secretary Lionel Haven and their colleagues prime models of the region.
I tease a bit, sometimes calling them the sports aristocrats of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. In truth there is much depth to the BFA. There is much more to the local programme than the assistance gotten from FIFA. There is the other demands that Sealy and the executives have to ensure are met, even if it means getting a mortgage, which they have done.
It is a huge load that they face in seeking to elevate the soccer programme in the country. The completion of the National Soccer Centre is a major part of the large-scale job in front of the BFA.
Accordingly, the BFA has a grand raffle project in place. The general public, particularly sports associates are challenged to support the soccer programme in the country by participating in the grand raffle.
The grand prize from the raffle is a 2008 Mercedes-Benz which will go to the winner of a draw to be held during the tie between The Bahamas and the British Virgin Islands late March.
It's an ambitious project but, this is the way of the BFA. Nothing substantial is gained by tentatively sitting back. Hopefully the response to the raffle will be quite meaningful for the BFA so that it can heighten its programme and to a great degree uplift the national teams' level of play.
The year 2007 was an inspiring one for soccer in the country. The Under-23 National Team advanced to the regional second round, defeating the noted Jamaica 1-0 in the process. It was the most significant accomplishment in the soccer history of the country. Now, Sealey and company want to go further.
A victory against the British Virgin Islands will continue the upward trend for soccer in the land.
Best wishes!
Good luck with the grand raffle BFA!
